Fishing device

ABSTRACT

Fishing device, such as a lure ( 1 ), in which there is a body ( 2 ), to the front end of which are attached means ( 3 ) for attaching a line ( 4 ) and at the rear end of which are winglets ( 11, 12 ) that rotate due to the force of the water flow. The winglets ( 11, 12 ) are mounted eccentrically on bearings on an essentially wire-like axle ( 9 ) to rotate in opposite directions and/or at different speeds. The winglets ( 11, 12 ) are essentially triangular, the bearing point being essentially at, or in the immediate vicinity of one point of the triangle.

The present invention relates to a fishing device and more specificallyto a device, which can be most nearly be referred to as a lure.

Though fishing is a sport that demands skill, skills being naturallyproperties of the fisher, much of fishing's result depends, however, onthe domain of fishing tackle.

When a lure is used, no matter whether in trolling or spinning, thelure, which can have quite diverse properties, is attached to a line. Aso-called spinner is a metallic, concave piece that rotates in the wateraround a wire-like axle and is of a colouring and size that are intendedto attract a specific species of fish, or fish in general. The hooksattached to the rear of the spinner are intended to catch in the mouthof a fish seizing the spinner. The spinner rotates evenly, depending onthe speed at which it is pulled.

A wobbler-type lure on the other hand is a larger type of lure, with anappearance and size that seek to imitate a small fish. A wobbler can beequipped with various plate-like guides, which are intended to keep thelure, which is often made of a material lighter than water, under thesurface, though the guides can also be intended to affect the lure'sswimming properties. A wobbler can also be equipped with an articulatedjoint. It is difficult to use guides, such as a so-called nose plate, toguide a wobbler if it has a significant weight. As wobblers aretherefore often relatively light, their throwing distance in spinning,on the other hand, is modest.

A problem with the fishing properties in all known solutions is that thefishing part moves unnaturally from the viewpoint of the predatoryinstinct of a normal fish. In other words, the lure does not move in amanner that would arouse the predatory instincts of a predatory fish,because the motion patterns do not sufficiently resemble the patterns ofmotion of a prey fish.

A numerous group of various types of lure solutions, in which rotatingparts are used, are also known from the prior art. Most of the varioustypes of rotating winglets are intended to attract fish, though in someapplications it is also stated that the intention is to stabilize themotion of the lure.

Some known solutions contain two rotating propeller parts. US patentapplication 2004/0049970 discloses two consecutive propellers, whichrotate due to the water flow and which rotate in opposite directions dueto their different curvature. The blades are symmetrical relative to theaxis of their bearings. The patent discloses that the said blades causemotion, because the water flow is uneven, relative to the body of thelure.

The present invention is intended to create a fishing device,specifically a lure-type fishing device, with the aid of which fish canbe caught more effectively than with existing devices, due precisely tothe apparently natural movements of the device. The intention isparticularly to create a fishing device, the movements of which are nolonger random, but are compelled to be of a desired type.

These and other benefits and advantages of the invention are achieved inthe manner described as characteristic in the accompanying claims.

In the following, the invention is described in greater detail withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which one embodiment of theinvention is shown schematically.

Thus, FIG. 1 shows a side view of a lure according to the invention;

FIG. 2, for its part, shows the arrangement of the winglets of the lure,with its movements seen from directly behind, relative to the directionof travel of the lure.

Thus, FIG. 1 shows a lure-type fishing device 1, in which there is asuitably shaped body 2, possibly resembling a small fish or other bait,which can be made from wood, plastic, or any other material whateverthat is conventionally used for manufacturing lures. The body part 2 canbe equipped with a coating, which can be suitably coloured, as is themanner in this field, and weights or other auxiliary components, such asguide plates, can be added to it, if necessary.

In the usual manner, in the front part of the body there is a suitableloop 3, to which a line 4 for pulling the lure is attached. Depending onthe weight distribution of the body, the line 4 may be attached indifferent parts of the body, however, normally in the very front part ofthe same. A sufficient number of hooks 5, 6 are added for catching afish. The hooks can be attached permanently or movably. One conventionalform of movable attachment is to attach to the lure a loop made ofwire-like metal, to which the loop of the hook is secured. Of course,various types of spacer pieces can also be used, if desired.

In the rear part of the lure, relative to its direction of travel, is aloop 7 to which a wire-like axle 9 is attached in a freely articulatedmanner, for example attached to the loop 7 with the aid of a loop 10 atthe end of the axle 9. At the rear end of the axle, there is also a loop8, to which a hook 6 can be attached, if such is used. Any kind ofstopper whatever can be used in place of the loop 8, if there is no needto attach a hook.

The winglets 11 and 12 shown are an essential feature of the invention.These winglets are mounted on bearings eccentrically on the axle 9. Inparticular, the winglets are mounted on bearings on one side, or closeto it. The term bearing usually refers to a hole drilled through thewinglet. The winglets can be separated from each other or theirsurroundings by means of suitable beads or bushings.

The winglets are shaped like propellers, so that, when the lure ispulled, the water resistance causes the winglets to rotate in oppositedirections around the axle 9.

FIG. 2 shows the movements of the winglets as a series of images. Thewinglets are approximately shaped as quarter circles, though this is inno way essential.

In the initial situation, the winglets 11,12 are essentially opposite toeach other and relative to the axle 9. The water flow causes thewinglets to rotate towards each other, forming first a semicircle whenseen from behind, which then narrows to become a quarter circle and thenwidens to become two opposing quarter circles.

What then happens when the lure is pulled? The rotational movement ofthe winglets mounted in bearings on the axle causes the water resistanceto vary greatly and rapidly, causing strong pulses pushing sidewards, sothat the axle 9 with the winglets seeks to turn in one direction whileat the same time the rear end of the lure seeks to turn correspondinglyin the opposite direction. The motion is surprisingly like the rapidmovements of the tail of a small fish, which naturally leads to theexcellent fishing properties of a lure of this type.

According to the image series shown in FIG. 2, each winglet 11 and 12has made a complete circle, when the rear part of the lure has causedone swing to the left and one swing to the right. The figure also showsthat, in the position in the initial situation, the winglets aresymmetrical relative to the axle 9, and in this position causepractically no lateral movements in the body. In all other positions,the effects are asymmetrical and tend to swing the body to one side orthe other.

The movements induced in the lure are mainly lateral. Though a certainforce also tends to act on the body 2 vertically, the weight of the bodykeeps this movement quite small, as the lifting force would have to beclearly greater, if a significant vertical movement were to take place.The weight of the body 2 can be adjusted by material selections and, ifnecessary, by adding weights.

Reference has been made above to essentially quarter-circle-shapedwinglets. However, the size of the winglets is not very critical. Infact, by using assemblies with different winglets of varying size,different kinds of swimming property will be achieved. The propertiescan also be altered by altering the shape of the winglets, for example,by changing the blade pitch. The rotation speed will then naturallychange. Obviously the rotation speed of the winglets must not exceed acertain threshold, as higher rotation speeds will probably prevent thelure body from being able to move as desired.

The manufacturing material of the wing lets is especially plastic, whicheasily worked. The part of the winglet around the bearing wire 9 in thelongitudinal direction must be sufficient for the winglet to remain inthe desired position.

Otherwise, the winglets can be of a quite thin material. Of course, thewinglets can also be easily made from sheet metal.

The size of the lure or the winglets belonging to it can varyconsiderably, depending on the fish it is intended to catch, as well ason many other factors. It is also possible to make the lure relativelyheavy, thus permitting long throws when spinning. The size of thewinglets can be proportional to the weight of the lure.

The fishing device according to the invention permits lure fishing inquite shallow waters, because the winglets cause a specific upwardforce, which naturally tends to lift the lure. It is easy to alter theswimming depth of the device according to the invention by changing thepulling speed.

The above only describes a construction, in which the winglets 11 and 12rotate in opposite directions. However, though this is certainly quite agood alternative it is not the only one. The winglets can also rotate inthe same direction, but then they must rotate at different speeds. Aspeed difference can be easily realized in at least two obvious ways,i.e. by using different pitches in the winglets and/or by altering theirsize. The important thing is that, when the lure is pulled, the waterflow alternates between a freer and a more restricted flow, so that thisvariation causes varying lateral forces on the axle 9 and the rear endof the lure. The result is a lure motion resembling the swimmingmovements of a small fish.

Similarly, the above only describes an alternative, in which thewinglets 11 and 12 are located at the trailing end of the lure relativeto the direction of travel. Nothing, however, prevents the wingletsbeing located at the front of the lure in the direction of travel. Alogical construction would then be one in which the axle 9 runs straightahead and the line is attached to a loop or similar attachment point atthe end of the axle. As there is a constant pull on the lure from theline, this would appear to equalize to some extent the movements causedby the winglets, though the movements are essentially the same as whenthe winglets are located at the rear of the lure. It can even be assumedthat the winglets cause clear movements in the rear end of the lure too,especially if the body is made relatively light.

1. A fishing device, in which there is a body, to the front end of whichare attached means for attaching a line and in which there are winglets,which the force of water flow causes to rotate in opposite directions orat different speeds, and which are mounted eccentrically on bearings ona wire-like axle, characterized in that the axle is attached to the bodyin a manner permitting it to turn freely.
 2. A fishing device accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the winglets are sector-shaped, suchas essentially triangular, a bearing point being essentially at, or inthe immediate vicinity of one point of the triangle.
 3. A fishing deviceaccording to claim 2, characterized in that the winglets are essentiallyshaped as quarter circles and rotate in opposite directions.
 4. Afishing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wingletsare essentially identical in size.
 5. A fishing device according toclaim 1, characterized in that the winglets are different in size.
 6. Afishing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wingletshave blades and the blades have a pitch and the pitches of the blades ofthe winglets are essentially the same, but in opposite directions.
 7. Afishing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wire-likeaxle is attached to turn essentially freely relative to the body.
 8. Afishing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wingletsare manufactured from a plastic material or sheet metal.
 9. A fishingdevice according to claim 1, characterized in that the winglets arelocated at a rear end of the fishing device relative to a direction oftravel.
 10. A fishing device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe winglets are located at a front end of the fishing device relativeto a direction of travel.
 11. A fishing lure body having a front end anda rear end, comprising means for attaching a line to the front end ofthe body, an axle wire attached to the body whereby it is adapted toturn freely, at least two winglets, each winglet being mountedeccentrically by a bearing on the axle, whereby the force of water flowcauses the winglets to rotate in opposite directions or at differentspeeds.